Baby immunisation rates in the Bay are still not being met, according to the latest Government health report card.
However, the quarter two 2012/13 health targets, released today, show Bay of Plenty District Health Board came close, reaching 84 per cent of the national target of 85 per cent.
Last quarter, the national immunisation target was lowered from 95 per cent to 85 per cent but the board achieved only 82.7 per cent.
This quarter Bay of Plenty ranked 17th out of the 20 district health boards in New Zealand.
The board also failed this latest quarter to provide better help through primary care for smokers to quit, reaching only 44 per cent of the 90 per cent target.
However, it surpassed the national target of 95 per cent in hospitals, reaching 96 per cent.
The board was in the top three in New Zealand for offering more heart and diabetes checks and the top five for providing improved access to elective surgery.
Despite an improvement in providing shorter stays in emergency departments, the board still failed to reach the national target of 95 per cent and reached 92 per cent - ranking 16th out of 20.
Board CEO Phil Cammish said Bay of Plenty ranked well above the national average of 52 per cent for offering more heart and diabetes checks.
"With our GPs maintaining momentum we are on track to reach the target of 75 per cent by July 2013."
The increased numbers of emergency patients had put pressure on the department and staff were focusing on ways to help the larger numbers of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours, Mr Cammish said.
The board again met the 100 per cent target in providing access to both radiotherapy and chemotherapy for cancer patients, as did all district health boards.
WHAT ARE HEALTH TARGETS?
Health targets, set by the Ministry of Health, provide a snapshot of the performance of health services in each region and provide the health sector, both secondary and primary, with a clear focus for action.
The targets are not only set for public hospitals, but also for primary health services (general practitioners and other community-based organisations).